CASE STUDY: Get Unplugged Digital Detox Cabins, Hertfordshire
Jan 18, 2026
1. Project Snapshot
Client: Get Unplugged
Location: Hertfordshire
Property Type: Luxury digital-detox cabins
Services Delivered: Changeover cleaning, deep cleaning, window cleaning, landscaping & maintenance, laundry & press, guest support
Sector: Hospitality / Short-Stay Accommodation
Duration: 4-year contract
Get Unplugged brought two brand-new cabins to Hertfordshire as part of their national expansion. Mackies was brought in from the initial build-out phase through to launch day and then retained for a full 4-year operational contract.
2. The Client Challenge
Get Unplugged was scaling fast, growing from seven cabins across the UK to more than fifty nationwide. With new sites launching, they needed a cleaning and maintenance partner who could:
- Maintain immaculate, luxury-level standards every changeover
- Deliver eco-friendly cleaning aligned with their brand ethos
- Operate on a remote site with unique access limitations
- Manage short turnarounds between check-in and check-out
- Provide a reliable, stress-free solution for all on-site operations
Site issues included:
- Zero vehicle access — every cabin could only be reached by wheelbarrow
- No plug sockets — requiring battery-powered Numatic vacuums
- All-weather cleaning — cabins needed servicing regardless of terrain or weather
- High guest expectations around presentation, linens, and amenities
They needed a partner who could maintain consistency, speed, and luxury across a site designed to feel “off-grid.”
3. Our Solution & Approach
Mackies built a fully bespoke operational plan for the cabins, designed for the flow, turnarounds, terrain, and brand standards at Get Unplugged.
Our approach included:
- Bespoke changeover plan built around their 4-day guest cycle
- 2-hour per cabin turnarounds with a structured, step-by-step workflow
- Battery-powered vacuum kits & replicable eco-friendly cleaning setups
- Eco cleaning products aligned with their sustainability ethos
- Early/late check-in flexibility built directly into the schedule
- Laundry & pressing for luxury linens and bedding
- Stock management systems for bath products, welcome baskets & firewood
- Checklist-driven operations for consistency across every clean
- Weekly maintenance & window cleaning to keep the cabins guest-ready
- Wheelbarrow-based access system for transporting equipment & linens
- Guest service support, including deliveries and on-site requests
The goal: create a seamless, hotel-level cleaning and maintenance system for a remote, unplugged location.
4. What We Delivered
Each changeover clean followed a detailed checklist covering:
- All interior cleaning and reset of cabin finishes
- Firewood stocked and replenished
- Welcome baskets arranged
- Lock boxes refilled with cabin essentials
- Nokia phone fully charged
- Camera film stocked and ready
- Bath products topped up
- Luxury linens replaced and pressed
- Outdoor areas swept and maintained
- Toilets serviced (including the trek to the off-site waste bins)
Deep cleans were scheduled regularly, along with full window cleaning and landscape tidying to keep the cabins pristine in all seasons.
5. Standout Results
- A fully replicable cleaning and maintenance system that can scale to every new site
- Improved guest experience through consistent presentation and restocking
- Zero missed check-ins, even with difficult terrain and weather
- Turnaround times achieved on schedule for early and late arrivals
- A complete outsourced operations solution, reducing pressure on the Get Unplugged team
6. Why This Project Matters
The Hertfordshire cabins were among the earliest in the UK, and the systems Mackies developed helped shape:
- Their nationwide changeover structure
- Their eco-friendly cleaning model
- Their guest preparation process
- Their scalable site operations
By operating as a one-stop shop for cleaning, maintenance, laundry, and guest requests, Mackies helped Get Unplugged maintain a luxury, off-grid experience at scale.
7. Work With Mackies
Want a reliable partner to manage your cleaning, changeovers, or full site operations?
We support:
- Cabin sites & lodges
- Short-stay & boutique stays
- Hospitality brands
- Multi-site accommodation
- Luxury remote stays
From cleaning to maintenance to laundry, we build systems that keep your spaces guest-ready — every single time.